The US Open kicks off with Day 1 on Monday. 64 women compete on opening day, which means we have 32 matches. As always, we at LWOT are here to share our thoughts on the matches. In addition to this article, we split the other matches between seven other articles. Those articles feature Naomi Osaka vs Marie Bouzkova, Elena Rybakina vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Angelique Kerber vs Dayana Yastremska, Victoria Azarenka vs Tereza Martincova, Simona Halep vs Camila Giorgi, Donna Vekic vs Garbine Muguruza, and Madison Keys vs Sloane Stephens. Predicting this set of matches are Tracey Essex, Andy Watson, and Jim Smith.
US Open Day 1 Women’s Predictions
Yulia Putintseva vs Kaia Kanepi
Tracey:
Putintseva had a decent showing in San Jose, then crashed out in Montreal and Cincinnati. Not in the best of form, the Kazakh is struggling with form. Her best surface is undoubtedly clay. Yet her run to the quarterfinals at last year’s US Open should give her a modicum of confidence. You cannot underestimate Kanepi. The veteran has the chops to compete on this level. At the end of the day, she’ll create some painful moments for Putintseva, but not enough to derail her first round win.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Andy:
The Estonian is very strong on a faster surface that helps her serve and powerful groundstrokes. She may have too much for Putintseva here.
Prediction: Kanepi in 2
Jim:
Kaia Kanepi has pulled off a fair share of upsets over the course of her career and the US Open has been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Estonian. But her star has been waning for some years and she has looked half a step slow this season. Yulia Putintseva’s consistent baseline game should see her safely into the second round.
Prediction: Putintseva in 2
Sara Errani vs Ekaterina Alexandrova
Tracey:
Alexandrova may lack solid form but she will have more than enough to get past Errani. Unfortunately, that as far as she may get in Flushing Meadows. Her likely second round opponent will be Johanna Konta.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Andy:
I find it difficult to think that Errani will find the level required to beat the improving Russian. Hard may not be Alexandrova’s best surface but she has a good record on it and she will see the veteran Italian off here.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Jim:
Sara Errani is another player who looks to be coming fairly quickly to the end of their professional career. Can the Italian summon one more big performance at a Major? It’s not entirely unthinkable–a former Grand Slam finalist can never be entirely written off–but it would be a significant surprise were she to get the better of Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Kristina Mladenovic vs Johanna Konta
Tracey:
Konta will be looking for her first win over France’s Mladenovic. The Brit has been plagued by illness and injury, leaving her short of matches and wins. Occasionally, you will see a flash of brilliance from Konta–a glimmer of the level of which she’s capable. Keeping up her first serve percentage will be key for a Konta win. If this were on clay, I’d be picking Mladenovic. On the hard courts, the edge goes to Konta.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Andy:
If the Brit was fit for this match then I would like her chances. She has a very good hard court game and would usually be able to overpower Mladenovic. However, it is difficult to know that. I still think I have to recommend a Konta win here and take it in good faith that she is ready.
Prediction: Konta in 2
Jim:
This has the makings of an entertaining match. Both Kristina Mladenovic and Johanna Konta are at their best when playing attacking tennis on the front foot and neither are shy about coming to the net. But the Briton has been battling injuries all season and may come into this match slightly underprepared as a result.
Prediction: Mladenovic in 3
Victoria Azarenka vs Tereza Martincova
Tracey:
Azarenka has been in decent form. She has a 19-7 record this season. Ash Barty absolutely demolished the Belarusian; and, Sabalenka easily handled the Azarenka threat. I’m not sure how far Azarenka can go in New York, but certainly past Martincova.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Andy:
This will be a good match. The 2020 finalist will certainly want to draw on those memories of success and get close to those levels. I think she will edge it but Martincova is playing well at the moment.
Prediction: Azarenka in 3
Jim:
Victoria Azarenka looks like along way away from repeating her superb run to the final last season. But the Belarusian clearly thrives in the conditions in New York and if she has struggled against the best in the game, she has been beating the rest for the most part. She should have too much for Tereza Martincova here.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
